Between connectivity and modality

This paper analyzes data from doctor-patient interaction mediated by nonprofessional ad hoc-interpreters with a focus on the performance of ad hocinterpreters and their use of verba dicendi (“to say”, “to tell”, “to mean to say”). Our analysis of the Turkish and Portuguese language data shows that in both languages markers of reported speech are used both to establish ‘interactional coherence’ (Bührig 2002), and to express speaker stance. It seems that verba dicendi serve to especially emphasize the reliability of information provided by the doctor. In line with a general shift towards a more dynamic concept for the role of interpreters, our results also indicate that the different communicative functions of markers of reported speech should be part of interpreter training.